Monday, December 31, 1984

“Rock-a-Bye Baby” published a hundred years ago

Rock-a-Bye Baby

Effie I. Canning (music/words)

Writer(s): Effie I. Canning (music/words) (see lyrics here)

Released: --

First Charted: --

Peak: -- (Click for codes to charts.)

Sales (in millions): --

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 676.48 video, 240.93 streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

“Rock-a-Bye Baby” may be the best known lullaby ever written. It is believed to have been published by John Newbery as early as 1765 in Mother Goose’s Melody WK with the original opening line being “hush-a-bye baby.” There are some who believe the words may have been written by Bertrada II of Laon, the mother of Charlemagne. LC

The pairing of the original words with the tune we know today is generally credited to Effie I. Crockett. In 1872, the fifteen-year-old was babysitting and struggling to get the baby to sleep. She improvised a tune for the “Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tree top” line from the Mother Goose poem and “Rock-a-Bye Baby” was born. WS She took the song to he banjo teacher who connected he with a publisher in Boston. One account suggests she published under the last name Canning, taken from her grandmother’s name, because her father wouldn’t have approved. LC That doesn’t quite ring true, however, considering the song wasn’t published until 1884 when Effie would have been nearly thirty years old.

It has also been suggested that Charles Dupee Blake (1847-1903), a prolific composer of popular music, may be the author of the song. WK He published it in 1886 after arranging for it to be used in the play The Old Homestead by Denman Thompson. Sheet music sales reached around $20,000 within a few months. LC

Regarding the music, there has been speculation by the scholars Iona and Peter Opie that the tune is a variant of “Lillibulleo,” a 1686 ballroom dance number by Henry Purcell. However, the Opies additionally offered multiple thoughts on the inspiration for the lyrics without any sources to back them up. WK

However the song originated it has become “fondly…appreciated by anyone who has struggled with the daily routine of bedtime.” WSSecondHandSongs.com reports the song has been recorded at least 36 times by artists such as Judy Collins, Olivia Newton-John, Lawrence Welk, and the Wiggles. SH

Resources:

  • FU James J. Fuld (1966). The Book of World Famous Music: Classical, Popular and Folk. Crown Publishers, Inc.: New York, NY. Pages 468-9.
  • LC Library of Congress
  • SH SecondHandSongs.com
  • WS William Studwell (1997). The American Song Reader. The Haworth Press, Inc.: Binghampton, NY. Page 136.
  • WK Wikipedia

First posted 12/6/2025.

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Dave’s Faves: My Album Collection in 1984

Dave’s Faves:

My Album Collection in 1984

By year’s end, this was what my collection looked like. Albums acquired in 1984 are noted with an asterisk.

  1. Air Supply Lost in Love (1980)
  2. Air Supply The One That You Love (1981)
  3. Asia Asia (1982)
  4. Asia Alpha (1983)

  5. The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
  6. The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
  7. The Beatles Hey Jude (1968)
  8. The Beatles 1962-1966 (compilation: 1962-66, released 1973)
  9. The Beatles 1967-1970 (compilation: 1967-70, released 1973)
  10. Pat Benatar Crimes of Passion (1980) *
  11. Pat Benatar Get Nervous (1982)
  12. Pat Benatar Live from Earth (live, 1983) *
  13. Pat Benatar Tropico (1984) *
  14. Blondie Parallel Lines (1978)
  15. Blondie Eat to the Beat (1979)
  16. Chicago Chicago 16 (1982)
  17. Chicago Chicago 17 (1984) *

  18. Def Leppard Pyromania (1983)
  19. John Denver Greatest Hits (compilation: 1969-72, released 1973)
  20. Dennis DeYoung Desert Moon (1984) *
  21. Neil Diamond The Jazz Singer (soundtrack, 1980)

  22. Eurythmics In the Garden (1981) *
  23. Eurythmics Sweet Dreams Are Made of This (1983) *
  24. Eurythmics Touch (1983) *
  25. Dan Fogelberg Greatest Hits (compilation: 1972-82, released 1982)
  26. Foreigner 4 (1981)
  27. Foreigner Records (compilation: 1976-82, released 1982)
  28. Foreigner Agent Provocateur (1984) *

  29. J. Geils Band Freeze Frame (1981)
  30. Genesis Genesis (1983) *

  31. Daryl Hall & John Oates H2O (1982)
  32. Daryl Hall & John Oates Rock ‘N’ Soul Part I (compilation: (1973-83, released 1983)
  33. Don Henley Building the Perfect Beast (1984) *

  34. Michael Jackson Off the Wall (1979) *
  35. Michael Jackson Thriller (1982)
  36. Billy Joel The Stranger (1977) *
  37. Billy Joel The Nylon Curtain (1982)
  38. Billy Joel An Innocent Man (1983)
  39. Journey Escape (1981)
  40. Journey Frontiers (1983)

  41. Cyndi Lauper She’s So Unusual (1983) *
  42. Huey Lewis & the News Sports (1983) *

  43. Barry Manilow Greatest Hits (compilation, released 1978)
  44. John Cougar (Mellencamp) American Fool (1982)
  45. John Cougar Mellencamp Uh-Huh (1983) *
  46. Men at Work Business As Usual (1981)
  47. Men at Work Cargo (1983)

  48. Olivia Newton-John Greatest Hits (compilation: 1971-76, released 1977)
  49. Olivia Newton-John Totally Hot (1978)
  50. Olivia Newton-John/Electric Light Orchestra Xanadu (soundtrack, 1980)
  51. Olivia Newton-John Physical (1981)
  52. Olivia Newton-John’s Olivia’s Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (compilation: 1978-82, released 1982)
  53. Stevie Nicks The Wild Heart (1983)

  54. Alan Parsons Project The Best of (compilation: 1977-83, released 1983) *
  55. Alan Parsons Project Ammonia Avenue (1984) *
  56. Steve Perry Street Talk (1984) *
  57. The Police Ghost in the Machine (1981)
  58. The Police Synchronicity (1983)
  59. Prince & the Revolution Purple Rain (1984) *

  60. Queen Greatest Hits (compilation: 1973-81, released 1981)

  61. REO Speedwagon Wheels Are Turnin’ (1984) *
  62. Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-80, released 1980)

  63. Lionel Richie Can’t Slow Down (1983) *

  64. Bruce Springsteen Born in the U.S.A. (1984) *
  65. Styx Styx II (1973)
  66. Styx Equinox (1975) *
  67. Styx The Grand Illusion (1977)
  68. Styx Pieces of Eight (1978) *
  69. Styx Cornerstone (1979)
  70. Styx Paradise Theater (1981)
  71. Styx Kilroy Was Here (1983)
  72. Styx Caught in the Act (live, 1984) *

  73. Toto Toto IV (1982)

  74. John Williams (composer) Star Wars IV: A New Hope (soundtrack, 1977)

  75. Yes The Yes Album (1971) *
  76. Yes Fragile (1971) *
  77. Yes Classic Yes (compilation: 1971-77, released 1981) *
  78. Yes 90125 (1983) *

    Various Artists:

  79. Flashdance (soundtrack, 1983)
  80. Footloose (soundtrack, 1984) *
  81. K-Tel: High Energy (1979)
  82. K-Tel: Starflight (1979)
  83. K-Tel: Wings of Sound (1979)
  84. Two of a Kind (soundtrack, 1983)

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First posted 8/31/2021.

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NRG’s No Reasons Given released this year

No Reasons Given

N.R.G.

Released: 1984

Peak: --

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: synth pop/neo-prog rock

Tracks:

Song Title [time]. Click on a song title for lyrics.

  1. Morning Light [3:48] *
  2. Watching Me [4:18]
  3. Goodman, Badman [4:39]
  4. Wings of Time [4:17] *
  5. Mere Image [6:41]
  6. Welcome to Suburbia [5:39]
  7. Staring into Nothing [6:00]
  8. Frame by Frame [4:22]
  9. When Strangers Part [4:06] *

Based on don.dream-in-color.net, it appears that KG wrote all of the songs except those marked with an asterisk (*), which were copyrighted by John J. Hubbard.

Total Running Time: 43:40

The Players:

  • Kevin Gilbert (Lead Vocals, Acoustic Grand Piano, Prophet 5, Gleeman Pentaphonic, Roland Vocorder+, Hammond Organ, backing vocals, 6 & 12 String Guitars, Recorders, Vocal Loop Organ, SCI Drumtracks, Pots and Pans, Production Effects)
  • Jason Hubbard (Fender Stratocaster, Ibanez Artist EQ, 6 & 12 string guitars, Classical guitar, Roland Juno 60, Backing Vocals, Seiko Digital Percussion, backwards Satanic Messages)
  • Mickey Sorey (Kit Drums, Simmons SDS-5, Tympani, percussion, Laugh)
  • Bob Carroll (lead vocals, backing vocals)
  • Kevin Coyle (sax)
  • Greg Gilbert (bassoon)
  • Jaque Harper (bass)
  • Kelly and Kenny Mangini (backing vocals)
  • Ray Otsuka (violin)

Produced by Kevin Gilbert and Jason Hubbard.

Rating:

2.982 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

Quotable: “Some of the cheesiest and the proggiest work [Kevin Gilbert’s] ever done” – Dan Britton, RateYourMusic.com

About the Album:

NRG’s sound fit in with the keyboard-heavy new romantic sound of bands like the Human League, Thompson Twins, and Duran Duran. Still, KG’s progressive leanings were already apparent as there were songs that stretched well past the four-minute single time barrier. The band won a San Jose “Best of the Bay” radio station sponsored by KSJO with a three-song demo.

“The NRG material, recorded when Gilbert was in his late teens, was never widely commercially released.” DB “This release is very interesting to hear because [it is] far away from [the] mainstream.” UZ

“It’s clear that a lot of work went into the tracks, many of which feature multiple keyboard parts, great arranging, and a very wide number of instruments.” DB There are “digital synths galore, but also a lot of great proggy keyboard playing, odd time signatures, and even some lengthy songs.” DB “The main ingredient missing from the songs, though, is the preponderance of hooks.” DB

“Many songs here are influenced by Synthie-Pop.” UZ “Morning Light and Watching Me [are] completely typical representatives of the ‘Plastik Pop Rock’ generation…[kind of] Survivor meets Human League…good compositions.” BB

Goodman Badman “works, however atmospherically.” BB Meanwhile, Wings of Time “begins almost rocking” BB “with heavy guitar work.” UZ It is “a good, straight Neoprogger [that] delivers an ‘Aha experience,’” getting a taste at the end of Yes’ ‘Heart of the Sunrise.’” BB

Mere Image is a “beautiful piano ballad…which would have fit in…easily on [Genesis’] A Trick of the Tail.” BB Welcome to Suburbia “then moves…back into the synth-pop corner, this time with sax and sound effects.” BB

Staring into Nothing is “more organic; …a very beautiful, exciting track with good percussion and…very well sung.” BB It is “a great song – but in a better version appearing on The Shaming of the True,” UZ Gilbert’s posthumously released second solo album. Two more versions of the song appear on the Call Me Kai box set released in 2021.

Frame by Frame also falls into the “plastic sound…somehow reminding of Elefante’s Kansas.” BB When Strangers Part features “acoustic guitar, good…keyboard and very beautiful singing.” BB

Overall, “It seems like Gilbert was still honing his skills as a ‘pop songwriter,’ and the material, though very good, isn’t as immediately appealing as all his other work.” DB “It’s both some of the cheesiest and the proggiest work he’s ever done.” DB

Notes: At one point, this album was available as a download via KevinGilbert.com with seven bonus tracks and a different running order:

  1. Morning Light
  2. Watching Me
  3. Wings of Time
  4. Mere Image
  5. Welcome to Suburbia
  6. Frame by Frame
  7. Mephisto’s Tarantella – Version Two *
  8. When Strangers Part
  9. Masques *
  10. Schizophrenia *
  11. Mephisto’s Tarantella – Version One *
  12. Suitcase Living *
  13. Staring into Nothing
  14. Goodman, Badman
  15. If Ever Rain Will Fall *
  16. Tired Old Man *

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First posted 4/2/2008; updated 6/4/2021.

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Steve, Bob & Rich’s Balls released this year

Balls

Steve, Bob & Rich

Released: 1984

Peak: --

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: roots rock

Tracks:

  1. Let My People Go-Go
  2. Nobody Knows
  3. EGBDF
  4. Kissin’ Time
  5. A Only Chile
  6. Big Fat Blonde
  7. Makes No Sense
  8. Christine
  9. Information
  10. Roll On

Songs written by Bob Walkenhorst.

The Players:

  • Bob Walkenhorst (vocals, guitar, drums)
  • Rich Ruth (bass, vocals)
  • Steve Phillips (guitar, vocals, lead vocal on “Nobody Knows”)

Rating:

4.200 out of 5.00 (average of 3 ratings)

About the Album:

The three-piece bar band Steve, Bob & Rich formed in 1983. “These Kansas City rockers became an instant favorite throughout the Midwest. Soon fans stood in line to see this trio they described as ‘energetic,’ ‘intense,’ but most importantly ‘fun.’” AZ They self-produced their one and only album, Balls, in 1984. Within months, the trio signed a multi-album contract with Polygram, added drummer Pat Tomek, and became the Rainmakers, who would be hailed by Newdsay as “America’s Great Next Band.” AZ

Amazon.com said this about the Rainmakers: “Missouri has long boasted of being the home of two of America’s greatest artists, Mark Twain and Chuck Berry. However, it wasn’t until The Rainmakers thundered into the national music spotlight in 1986, had anyone combined the guitar power of Berry with the social wit of Twain to form a unique brand of Missouri rock n’ roll.” AZ

Let My People Go-Go, Nobody Knows, Big Fat Blonde, and Information would all resurface on the Rainmakers’ self-titled debut in 1986, but appear here first in stripped-down versions. Those songs “plus other strong originals capture the band lean, hungry and in all their 3-piece glory.” AZ

“The remix and remastering makes it sound as if you are sitting in the room with the band, as most cuts were recorded completely live in the studio…No Rainmakers fan can be without this one!” AZ

Notes: A CD reissue added seven live cuts from 1985: “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” “Tough Boys,” “Hanging Around,” “Nasty Man,” “Rockin’ All Over the World,” “Let My People Go-Go,” and “Switchblade.”

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First posted 2/4/2009 updated 6/2/2021.

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Saturday, December 15, 1984

Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas” hit #1 in the UK

Do They Know It’s Christmas

Band Aid

Writer(s): Bob Geldof, Midge Ure (see lyrics here)

Released: December 3, 1984

Peak: 13 US, 7 CB, 39 GR, 35 A40, 32 AR, 15 UK, 12 CN, 14 AU, 2 DF (Click for codes to charts.)

Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 3.94 UK, 11.7 world (includes US + UK)

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 39.3 video, 403.22 streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

Bob Geldof made his name initially as the frontman of the Boomtown Rats, an Irish punk-pop outfit which got its start in the late ‘70s and found success with a pair of #1 songs on the UK charts with “Rat Trap” and “I Don’t Like Mondays.” However, in his obituary someday, the leading line will reference him as the man who organized Band Aid and Live Aid.

Geldof was so moved one night by images from the BBC of “Ethiopians as they trudged for miles in search of food” HL that he felt obligated to do something. He started out collecting money at Boomtown Rats shows HL but wanted to do something on a grander scale. He connected with Midge Ure, the frontman from Ultravox, to pen a song about those suffering in the African famine. He wrote the lyrics in the back seat of a taxi and Midge produced the backing track in his studio. TB

To garner even more attention to the cause, however, the pair then tackled their collective rolodexes to round up a Who’s Who of British pop superstars to sing a Christmas charity single as the collective Band Aid. Among the stars enlisted were Bono, Phil Collins, Sting, George Michael, Duran Duran, Culture Club, Status Quo, Paul Weller, Spandau Ballet, Heaven 17, and Kool & the Gang.

36 artists HL gathered at Sarm West Studios in London on November 25, 1984. Geldof implored attendees “to leave your egos outside the studio” HL and, in a wonderful display of unity, “everyone got on with everyone else.” HL They started the recording process by singing the “Feed the world, let them know it’s Christmas time” refrain first as a group. Then individual singers sang the song the entire way through so that Ure, who also produced the song, could splice the best parts together for the final version. WK The whole song was recorded within a 24-hour period. WK

Geldof wanted to make sure all the proceeds went straight to the Ethiopians so he in addition to getting the musicians to work for free, he arranged for free studio time, manufacturing, and distribution. The song sold 750,000 in its first week of release in England, making it their fastest-selling single in history at the time. MG It went on to sell more than 3.5 million, making it the best-selling song in Britain until Elton John’s 1997 re-recording of “Candle in the Wind”. WK Combined with the 1985 Live Aid concert, Geldof’s efforts raised £110 million. MG

Resources:

First posted 12/15/2011; last updated 4/12/2023.

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